EVERETT – Starting this month the WSU extension programs of Snohomish and Skagit counties will offer their Forest Stewardship Coached Planning series. This is the only scheduled 2009 offering of this popular class in the north Puget Sound area.
Woodland owners from around the region are invited to attend this nine-week short-course. The classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from Feb. 24 through April 21 from 6 to 9 pm at the WSU Snohomish County Extension Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St. S.E. in Everett.
The presence of wildlife is one of the highlights of owning wooded property. This course will teach landowners practical steps to attract more wildlife and biodiversity to their property. Participants will also learn about how to assess and maintain tree health, improve aesthetics, cultivate edible and other specialty forest products, as well as how to manage their timber resources.
During the course participants will develop their own personalized Forest Stewardship Plan. With an approved stewardship plan comes state recognition as a Stewardship Forest, eligibility for cost-share assistance programs, and qualification to become certified as a sustainable forest. An approved stewardship plan may also qualify owners of six or more wooded acres for significant property tax reductions.
The short-course includes the nine Tuesday evening sessions, a Saturday field day, a comprehensive Forest Stewardship notebook and other educational reference materials, property maps, aerial photos, and an individual on-site consultation from a professional forester or wildlife biologist.
Space is limited and pre-registration required. Registration information is available at http://snohomish.wsu.edu/ forestry/CP09Everett.htm or by contacting Kevin Zobrist, WSU Extension Forester, at (425) 357-6017.
The registration fee is $175 per family/ownership.
